Lexicon LXP-5

See Sarah's review below.

UTILIZATION

Very simple to use, which is perfect for the beginner that I am! On the other hand without the manual, it's a bit of a nightmare. Because there are plenty of hidden features.

SOUND QUALITY

To my ears the effects are milder than on my Alesis Midiverb 4. Reverbs are also better quality and more realistic. I use it mainly for my keyboard and my voice.

OVERALL OPINION

I've been using the LXP-5 for three months and I am perfectly satisfied. On the other hand I regret that there isn't more unique(single) Reverbs. With hindsight I would opt perhaps for a model offering a wider choice of Reverbs, even though I do not regret my purchase!

The LXP-5 has inherited many of his brother in appearance LXP-1. Actually, side-by-side, they really look the same! Yet this is two very different systems and still perfectly complementing each other intelligently: as the LXP-1 specializes in ambiance and atmospheres (in other words, reverbs), the LXP-5 is a master of the strange worlds of modulated echoes, pitch shifting and totally crazy combinations of Chorus/Reverb (very very good!). Unlike the LXP-1, it combines multiple effects simultaneously.
From what I recall, it has four "preset" memory banks, eight "user" memory banks, three "Edit" banks: A, B and C and a Bypass. Each bank has 16 slots, so it's a total of 128 MIDI-controlable presets, 64 factory presets, 28 Edit parameters and a "Patch Edit" page.

UTILIZATION

Lexicon provided total control of every parameter from the front panel, without having to use a computer or the MRC remote, unlike for the LXP-1. The front is rather sober, however it's very functional: six large knobs and that's all. But I don't care anyways because I like turning knobs!
The first three knobs adjust the input level, balance and output level. This is not very interesting. But the following three are much more exciting because it allows control of the programmable parameters.
The center knob activates the mode or preset bank selected. The next knob "Select" selects one of 16 possibilities while the "Adjust" knob is assigned to input data as well as editing and allows you to change up to five different parameters simultaneously on a given preset. I failed to mention .. there is also a small light that informs us about ongoing operations. And from what I recall, while this little itty bitty light is green when calling a program, red when you return to an initial setting and flashes when a MIDI message controls the LXP-5 and launching a brief flash when we enter a program in memory.
It's minimalistic, but it has the merit of being explicit and easy!

SOUND QUALITY

I could write until the end of time on the why of how the programming of this small box all cute and itty bitty, but you would not have advanced so far and so I will just address two issues far more important: How does it sound and how is this a special machine? A device manufactured by Lexicon is always special, as you should know, but here, the sound is indescribable! The Reverbs are as soft as Thailand silk and the combo effects are of a true beauty that literally transports us into various imaginary worlds! The Choruses are deep and dynamic at will, Echos flutter in rich and fruity tones.. Almost makes me a true poet!

OVERALL OPINION

This little box has always weighty arguments. Its ease of use, but also sounds to discover urgently! Even my MPX-1 won't ever allow me to get such sounds! If your budget allows it, you should still have a listen to its big brother, the aptly named LXP-15, which has exactly the same qualities with even more possibilities!

Sarah. An occasional poet chick